Cabinet construction



Aug 28, 1951 D. B. KEIM 2,566,064

CABINET CONSTRUCTION med oct. 21, 194e IVGCOP: Donald B Keim,

Patented Aug. 28, 1951' CABINET CONSTRUCTION Donald B. Keim, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner" to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 2l, 1946,Serial No. 704,670

1 claim. (ortiz-323) My invention relates to a cabinet construction for high frequency apparatus and, in particular, to the construction of a cabinet for apparatus requiring considerable servicing.

It has been found, in the use of high frequency apparatus of the type employed for the location of objects by radio waves, that it is desirable to have all portions of the circuit of the transmitter and receiver employedin such equipment accessible for servicing on short notice. At the same time, it is known that such equipment normally is quite bulky and cumbersome, including usually one or more cathode ray tubes used for locating an object in space. For eiective operation, it is desirable that all controls be as accessible as possible so that ordinarily a control panel is required to which are brought all the necessary conductors and on which are located the necessary meters and cathode ray tubes. It is desirable to have the circuits enclosed and safeguarded to as great an extent as possible, since relatively high potentials are employed for the circuits of the equipment. Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a new and improved cabinet construction for high frequency equipment in which lthe circuits of the cabinet are normally enclosed and which permits easy withdrawal of the circuits and components for inspection and servicing. v

It is still another object of my invention to provide a new and improved chassis construction for radio equipment which is normally contained in an enclosure and which may be withdrawn' from that enclosure and rotated to provide access to circuits and equipment located on such a chassis.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and improved telescoping means for rotatably supporting an. object.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a new and improved cabinet construction for slidably supporting an object which is inexpensive and simple in construction.

One of the features of my invention consists in rotatably supporting an object upon a slide constructed of a plurality of telescoping channel members. The telescoping slide is provided with a plurality of locks to control both longitudinal and rotational positioning of the supported object relative to the channel members.

The features of my invention which I believe to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claim. My invention itself, however. both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and .advantages thereof. may best .be understood by reference to the following description taken in con-A nection with the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 represents a cabinet construction for high frequency apparatus showing a chassis in a withdrawn and rotated position; Figs. 2-4 are side elevation views showing three positions of the rotating support and interlocking structure of the cabinet of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view of Fig. 4 taken along the line 5 5; Figs. 6 and 7 are views of a portion of the telescoping 'slide of the cabinet of Fig. l which illustrate certain operational features thereof; and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the strructure of Fig. 6 taken along the line 8 8.

Referring to Fig. l, I have there shown an equipment for locating objects in space by means of radio waves which includes an enclosing metallic cabinet l divided into an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 3. In the upper portion 2 there is contained a chassis 4 having a front wall or control panel 5 on which are located a plurality of control knobs i-Il and three cathode ray tubes IZ-M. Likewise, there are provided on the front panel 5 a plurality of hinge covers I5 which provide easy access to additional controls located behind panel 5. The chassis l includes the usual circuit wiring, condensers, and resistors (not shown)l employed in radio transmitting and receiving apparatus of this type. 'I'he lower portion 3 of the cabinet is adapted to contain four sliding chassis (not rotatable) for power supplies and other circuit elements. On the front of one of the four panels which cover the lower portion 3, there is provided a plurality of telephone hand sets I6.

Since, in the use of such equipment, it is often desired to have ready access to the chassis and the wiring thereon, I provide a slidable support for the chassis ly which comprises, on each side of the chassis, a set of three telescoping sliders or channel-members |l-l9. Outer channel Il and intermediate channel i8 are standard in form, while inner channel I9 has a re-entrant central portion. Channel Il is welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the side wall of cabinet l. Both channels Il and I8 are provided, respectively, at their ends extending toward the front of the cabinet with straps 20, 2| attached to the outer surface of the web and extending around the flange thereof. Furthermore, for reasons to be pointed out later. the portions of the upper ilanges of channels Il, I8 adjacent the straps 20, 2| are cut away.

I providel means for supporting chassis 4 for terclpckwise or 90 clockwise.

journaled in a hole provided in the re-entrant` central portion of channel i9. The shafts 22 on opposite sides of the chassis are located substantially at the enter of gravity of the chassis so that the chassis may be rotated relatively easily about the axis of these shafts. In order that the position of the chassis may be fixed at various points in its rotation, I provide a plate 2d which is welded to the inner surface of the channel ii?. Secured to the outer surface of the plate tft, as by welding, are three U-shaped lmetallic members 25. Members 25, one of which is shown in enlarged view in Fig. 5. are provided with aligned apertures in their two legs through which passes a pin 26 on which is secured a disk 2li. A spring 23 surrounds the pin 26 between the two legs of the member 25. The pin 26 is biased upwardly through the upper of the apertures in the member 25 by means of the spring so that it extends radially outwardly from the plate 2Q. The assembly of theelements 25-26 forms one portion of a structure for locking the chassis in a rotated position. The other portion of the locking structure comprises a U-shaped member 29 having its web secured to the side wall 23. The legs of the U-shaped member 29 are provided with aligned apertures between which is located a guide tube 30. Positioned within the guide tube 30 is a pin 3i having attached thereto a disk 32 adapted to engage the inner surface of the front panel 5. A spring 33 is adapted to be compressed betwen the disk 32 andthe leg of the U-shaped member 29 adjacent the front panel. The pin 3i has a portion which extends, through the action of the spring 33, through the front panel and is accessible at the front of the panel 5. In operation of the locking structure, as the chassis 4 is rotated on the shaft 22, one of the pins 26 is adapted to be depressed by a bevelled edge 34 of member 29. As the member 29 passes over the pin 26 and the apertures in the lJ-shaped members 25, 29 come into alignment, one of the pins 26, through the action of the spring 26, is forced into the tube 36 locking the chassis in position. In order to unlock the chassis from this position, the pin 3i is depressed by the operators finger to move the pin 26 to a position to disengage it from the IJ-shaped member 26.

Preferably, three of the members 25 are provided so that the chassis normally is locked in a horizontal position, but may be rotated 30 coun- In the counterclockwise position, access is provided to tubes and other equipment on the upper surface of the chassis, while in the position of clockwise rotation, access is provided for servicing of all wiring and components on the under side of the chassis. These positions of rotation of the chassis are better evident from an inspection of Figs. 2-4. Fig. 2 shows the chassis when it is rotated 30 counterclockwise, in which position access is provided to the upper surface of the chassis and the components mounted thereon. In this position, the lowermost of the members 25 is aligned with the member 29 and the chassis is locked in this rotated position. In Fig. 3, there is shown the normal horizontal position of the chassis. In this position, the central of the mem bers 25 is locked to the member 2s. In Fig. i the chassis is shown rotated clockwise through aseaoei 4 an angle of In this position, it is evident that the bottom surface of the chassis is available for inspection and servicing and in this position, the upper of the members 25 is locked to the member 29. Of course, in Fig. l, the chassis is shown in a position intermediate the horizontal position and the 90 clockwise rotation.

In order to safeguard the operator in withdrawing the chassis from the cabinet. I, especlally in rough weather on mobile installations, I provide means for limiting the outward motion of the chassis. Thus, referring to Figs. 6-8 jointly, I have shown enlarged views of a portion of the channel structure which illustrate locking means provided to limit the outward motion of the chanel I9 relative to the channel I8. As previously pointed out, a strap 2l is secured to the channel I6 at its outermost end. The strap 2i is adapted to extend below the lower flange of channel I8 by a distance sucient to accommodate a spring 35.- The spring 35 surrounds a pin 36 and engages a disk 31 attached to thepin. The pin 36 is adapted to pass through a hole provided in the lower flange of channel i6 and engage a notch provided ln the lower flange of channel I9. A similar notch 39 is provided in the upper flange of channel i9 opposite the notch 38. The upper ange of strap 2l is spaced from the upper flange of channel I9 to permit a limited amount of vertical motion of the channel I9 relative to channel I8. Thus, in the operation of the telescoping support, the chassis 4 is withdrawn from the cabinet simply by pulling outwardly on handles 46 provided on the outer surface of the front panel. After a predetermined amount of horizontal movement, approximately half of the total movement, the notch 38 passes over th pin 36 and spring 35 moves the pin into the notch, preventing any further longitudinal movement of the channel i9 relative to the channel I6. A limited amount of vertical motion is permitted simply by lifting the front of chassis upwardly to tilt the channel i9 to the position shown by the broken line i9' in Fig. 6 or in full line in Fig. 7. Thus, when it is desired to replace the chassis, the operator simply lifts upwardly on the handles 40 pivoting` the rear end of channel I9 on the bottom flange of channel I8 in an amount sufficient to allow the lower flange of channel I9 adjacent the notch to rise above the pin 36. This is best shown in Fig. 7 where, while tilting the channel I9 upwardly,- a slight predetermined rearward push has been given to the chassis so that the front edge of the notch in the lower flange overhangs pin 36. When the chassis is now lowered, pin 36 is depressed and the .chassis may be returned to the cabinet I by pushing on handles 40.

In order that the previously described upward tilting of channel I9 relative tochannel I6 does not permit the chassis to move forward, as from a slanting deck on shipboard, I provide means to prevent the rear edge 4I of notch 38 from depressing the pin 36 to allow any further forward motion of channel I9 relatvegto channel I8. This means comprises a screw or removable pin 42 extending throughthe upper ange of strap 2| in a position slightly eccentric to the pin 36 and notches 38. 39. `Screw 42 is positioned slightly to the right of the center line of pin 36 and notches 36 and 39 and has a diameter smaller ythan that of the pin 36. Screw 42, furthermore, extends distance that it normally Just clears the rear edge forward, screw 42 acts as a stop to prevent the rear edge 4I of notch 36 from overhanging the upper surface of pin 36. Screw 42 is suillciently eccentric to the pin 36 that, when the rear edge 43 engages the right-hand edge of the screw 42, as shown by broken line I3 in Fig. 6, the rear edge 4I of slot 36 in lower flange of channel I9 does not overlie pin 36. As a result, the only way in which channel I9 may be completely withdrawn from channel I6 is by removing screw 42 to eliminate the protective feature described. The previously described tilting movement of channel I6 with respect to channel I6 is permitted by the cutaway portion 44 in the upper flange of channel I6, the longitudinal extent of the cutaway portion 44 being suilicient to allow the lower ange of channel I9 to clear the pin 36.

Fig. 8 is a. cross-sectional view of the channel support taken ralong the line 6-6 of Fig. 6 and shows the position of screw 42 relative to pin 36. It shows likewise how the pin 36 is received into the notch 38 in the lower lflange of channel I9, being pressed upwardly by spring 35.

Strap 20, which extends around the outer end of channel I1, is constructed similar to strap 2I and is likewise provided both with a pin similar to pin 36 and a screw similar to screw 42. Thus, the same motions of slider or channel I6 relative to slider or channel I1 are permitted when the channels are locked in position after a predetermined forward motion of l channel I6 relative to channel I1. Channel I6 can be released only by lifting the chassis slightly and pushing rearward on handles 46, to position the 'frontedge of the notch in the lower i'iange of channel I6 over the spring operated pin which is supported by strap 26 and which passes through the lower ange in channel I1. Both notches in channels I6 and I9 usually clear both pins simultaneously when the chassis is lifted and pushed inwardly.

An important advantage of my invention is that it permits servicing to be performedveither on the underside or top of a chassis quickly and easily. 'I'he chassis is pulled out from the cabinet simply by an outward force on the handles 46. Preferably, the sliders or channels I1-I6 are merely suillciently lubricated that free sliding action is obtained. However, the downward force on the channels is suilicient te retain them in any withdrawn position. After the chassis has been withdrawn a certain amount, one or the other of the pairs of channels I1, I6 or I6, I6 will be locked together by one of the spring operated 55 pins 36 engaging the associated notch 36. Thereafter, further outward movement is permitted until the other of the spring operated pins 36 enmes its associated notch 36.

In its outward position, the chassis may be rotated either up or down on the pivots 22 which are located near the center of gravity of the chassis 4. The chassis, due to its weight, remains at any angular position and may be locked in either a vertical position, a horizontal position, or a position 30 below horizontal. 'I'he push buttonorpin3l onthefrontpanelunlocksthe chassisforrotatingmotion. Thechassisishcld in its withdrawn position by means of the spring operated pins 36. These pins are released only by lifting the chassis slightly to tilt upwardly either the channel I6 relative to the channel I8 or channel I6 relative to channel I1 or both a sufficient amount to permit the front edge of the respective notch 36 to engage the upper endv of the respective pin 36. Thereafter, the chassis may be pushed inwardly until either the strap 2l engages the strap 26 or the central of the U-shaped members 25 engages strap 2I. At this position, the other of the spring operated pins 36 `prevents any further rearward motion of the chassis until the chassis is again lifted slightly to clear this other pin. Thereafter, the chassis maybe moved to a completely closed position Within cabinet I.

Another important advantage of my construction is that it provides safety to the operator in that the chassis cannot be withdrawn or forced by inertia, as during a sharp turn, beyond the ends of the sliders I1-I9 without intentionally loosening of the screws 42.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my'invention, it will of course be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since various modifications may be made, and I contemplate by the appended claim to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention. y

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In a cabinet structure, the combination of a pair of parallel walls, a pair of telescopingl slides supported respectively on opposing surfaces of said walls, an object 'to be supported pivotally mounted on said slides, oneV of said slides having a plate amxed thereto, a plurality of resiliently biased pins supported on said plate at points spaced along the edge thereof, an arm having an aperture therein secured to said object and adapted to receive said pins as said object is rotated relative to said slides to lock said object into position determined by said pins, and means whereby said pins may be removed from said aperture to permit rotation of said object relative to said slides.

DONALD B. KEIM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 357,918 Gilzinger Feb. 15, 1887 651,739 Woodruff June 12, 1900 731,654 Bankmann June 23, 1903 '1,137,074 Morris Apr. 27, 1915 1,301,495 Otte Apr. 22. 1919 1,313,840 Strom Aug. 19, 1919 1.576.825 Blodgett Mar. 16, 1926 1,594,291 Woltz July 27, 1926 1,712,942 Smith May 14, 1929 2,329,835 Motter Sept. 7, 1943 2,337,159 Friedl Dec. 21. 1943 2.430.141 Reeves Nov. 4, 1947 

